Boom! Boom!
Two more competitors had died!
In the arena, only seven tributes remained alive at the moment, marking the beginning of the final stage of these games. From the perspective of others, the groups were established, and it was just a matter of the groups facing off to decide the winner.
"I'll kill them!"
Jacob woke up abruptly, feeling an intense cold that chilled him to the bone. His body trembled, whether from the nightmare he had just experienced or from the relentless reality surrounding him. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times to adjust to the dim light filtering into the tent.
He sat up slowly, his mind still clouded with memories of his troubled dream. He looked around, searching for any sign of life, but everything seemed calm and silent. Cautiously, he stepped out of the tent, emerging into an outside world that seemed waiting to be discovered.
However, just as Jacob took his first step outside the tent, footsteps echoed behind him. His survival instinct immediately kicked in, and his right hand instinctively rose, revealing the hidden blade on his arm. The sharp blade glinted menacingly in the faint light.
"Are you awake?" A female voice broke the silence.
Jacob quickly turned, facing the intruder with cautious and distrustful eyes. The figure in front of him was Foxface, a girl from District 5 whom Katniss and Thresh had recently met amidst adversity.
Foxface's gaze reflected a mix of surprise and fear at Jacob's defensive reaction. She took a step back, raising her hands in a peaceful gesture.
"Calm down, Jacob, I'm your ally!" Foxface said with a trembling voice. "I don't want to harm you."
"Could you harm me?"
Jacob observed Foxface cautiously, evaluating her words and actions. Slowly, his right hand relaxed, and the blade concealed itself again in his arm.
"I'm sorry," Jacob muttered, feeling a bit embarrassed by his excessive reaction. "I'm a bit... disoriented, and this is the first time we're talking face to face."
Foxface nodded understandingly, her face showing a mix of concern and empathy. She approached Jacob slowly, extending a hand as a gesture of peace.
"I understand, that's understandable," Foxface responded softly. "People in this place can do terrible things to our minds. I'm here to help, if you allow me."
Jacob watched Foxface for a moment, sensing that her presence didn't pose an immediate threat. He decided to let his guard down and accept the offered help.
"Thank you," Jacob murmured, allowing a glimmer of trust to show in his weary eyes. "I appreciate your concern and alliance."
Foxface smiled slightly, displaying a mix of relief and determination.
As Jacob noticed that the tent was inside a cave, he asked, "Where are Katniss and Thresh? And, more importantly, how long have I been asleep?"
"Katniss and Thresh went to set some traps to catch animals, Jacob," Foxface said in a reserved voice. "As for how long you've been asleep, I don't know. I only know that your group was running through the forest last night when I found them."
Jacob nodded, understanding what had happened. At that moment, Jacob saw an infrared flying around him.
"[Master, you've been asleep for approximately 16 hours!]"
"Do you know how many have died so far?" Jacob asked this question to the air, and Foxface responded that she had heard about three deaths before encountering their group, so two more had died besides Rue.
"[Summarizing the past 16 hours after the master went into a coma!
Rue, District 11, eliminated by a mutated beast.
Glimmer, District 1, eliminated by a mutated beast.
Noah, District 3, eliminated by a mutated beast.
Every tribute, without exception, has had life-or-death battles, and some have perished in terrible ways.]"
Jacob felt reassured by those words. He knew that at least the administrators were not solely targeting him in the games. If he thought about it, the audience must have complained about the continuous attacks against him. However, even if the administrators controlled the beasts, they must follow some kind of code.
A few minutes later.
Jacob was lost in thought as he chewed on the dry food and drank water. Each bite and sip seemed to nourish his mind as well, which was working hard to decipher the puzzles surrounding the Hunger Games. What was behind the mutated beast that attacked them? And was there truly a connection between the beast and the administrators?
His thoughts focused on the numbers. He had noticed patterns in the way the beasts attacked the tributes, and he began to suspect that it was all about balancing the scales. The administrators used the mutated beasts to target the larger groups of participants and level the competition.
That's when an idea started to form in Jacob's mind. The numbers were related to the groups. If the remaining competitors had formed two different groups, then the next target would be Jacob's group, which consisted of four members. The administrators were trying to even the odds of survival.
A flicker of speculation shone in Jacob's eyes. If he had discovered the pattern, he had the opportunity to change the game. He knew he had to act quickly to warn the others and unite them in a front against the threat of the beast.
Without wasting any time, Jacob rose from his spot and gathered his weapons. The idea of facing the beast and the administrators didn't instill fear in him but rather a sense of purpose and bravery. He headed toward the cave's exit, every step filled with confidence.
Outside the cave, Jacob searched for Thresh and Katniss. He knew he needed to find his allies and explain his discovery before it was too late. Every second counted, and each of their lives was at stake.
Foxface, who had been observing Jacob with curiosity, understood the urgency in his face and started running toward the forest. Jacob followed closely, certain that destiny had brought them together in this fight for survival.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, Jacob felt a mix of foreboding and anxiety. He knew the danger was close, but he also felt a spark of hope, knowing he could use this against the administrators. He was determined to change the rules of the game, to challenge the administrators, and to protect his allies.
With each step, Jacob neared his destination. The race against time had begun, and he was willing to fight until the end. It was time to unite, to face the beast and the administrators with courage and strategy.
The future was uncertain, but Jacob was determined to seize every opportunity that came his way. His mind was brimming with ideas, and his heart beat with the strength of hope. He knew the path to victory would be challenging, but he wouldn't give up. He was ready to fight for his life and for those who had put their trust in him.
With steady steps and the echo of his own thoughts resonating in his mind, Jacob ventured deeper into the forest, resolved to face the forthcoming challenges and change the course of the Hunger Games.
But at that moment, when his ideas had solidified into a fixed plan, a loud explosion was heard from deep within the trees.
Boom!
"Are they in that direction?" Jacob looked at Foxface for an answer.
She felt and said, "Katniss and Thresh thought it would be a good idea to set the traps far away to keep the cave safe."
"Damn it, they're in danger!"